Smoky Cat-Eye

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Fact: we're obsessed with all things feline. As we've extensively documented over the past few months, our adoration crosses seasonsÂ--from spring's cat-eye sunglasses and leopard shoes to fall's purr-fectly printed bags, belts, and faux fur jackets. Bearing this in mind, it should come as no surprise to learn that the kitty craze is even influencing our after-hours beauty routines too! As seen on trendsetters like Kate Moss and Rachel Bilson, we're mad about this season's smoky cat-eye look and suggest trying it as soon as possible!

Now, we know that the runway version of the smoky cat-eye is decidedly over-the-top, but you can make it quite wearable with a few slight tweaks. If you're really ready to embrace the trend, we suggest using Mischa Barton's recent beauty look as inspiration. Earlier this fall at a Nokia event in London, Barton opted for a strong smoky cat-eye by using a combination of precise liner and dark, well-blended eye shadow. Unlike the runway examples, she kept the focus only on her upper lids, but by extending the edges of her smoky cat-eye, she ended up with a captivating and dramatic look.

If the aforementioned examples are still a wee bit bold for you, don't fretÂ--there are still subtler options! One way to achieve a softer style is to take a page from Kate Moss' beauty book and use a palette of warm neutral colors, like bronze, taupe, and walnut. Moss did just that for the launch party for Topshop's new Knightsbridge store in London when she showed up with softly smoked cat-eye liner in a rich copper hue. If Moss' look is still too much for you, we suggest studying the lovely Rachel Bilson for inspiration. At a party celebrating Roberto Cavalli's four decades in the fashion industry, Bilson went for an ultra-wearable look with dark eyeliner along her upper and lower lash line and a taupe shadow on her lids to create the extended cat-eye look. The final result is on trend without being tremendously intense! We also saw a similarly chic iteration on Jessica Szhor last month during New York Fashion Week. Like Barton, she kept the focus on her upper lash line and lids, though by picking low-contrast products, the final look is subtle and sexy.